Watching Brief

Date 29 May 2021 - 2 September 2021

Event ID 1144638

Category Recording

Type Watching Brief

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1144638

NH 7971 9022 A watching brief and associated excavation was carried out at Dornoch North, (Phase 2), ahead of a second phase of housing development. The watching brief uncovered 101 features consisting of a ditched enclosure, the remnants of a roundhouse, seven pit groups, three possible fire-pits, a stone filled ditch with upright stone and isolated pits and postholes. In one area, a large circular ditch enclosed multiple internal pit features and a secondary D-shaped enclosure contained an internal post structure with associated internal and external fire- pits. A probable roundhouse and a dense cluster of pits/postholes was also located near the enclosure.

In other areas, there were three groups of curvilinear features; a group of pits that had probably contained upright stones within a stone filled ditch; and a line of pits between the roundhouse and enclosures. Isolated pit features were also located on the site. The results from the archaeological work have shown further extensive evidence for considerable prehistoric activity related to the previous discoveries on adjacent land parcels; as well as later, probably medieval, landscape use.

Archive: NRHE (intended) Funder: Springfield Homes

Fiona Jackson – AOC Archaeology Group

(Source: DES Vol 22)